Keep on hoppin' in the free world. While today's column is about a moderately hoppy English pale ale, I want to give a heads up to readers in my local area (with apologies to international online readers, who may be jealous about this) about The Northampton Brewery's latest version of its Blue Boots IPA. It just was tapped last Friday,... Full story »

If you're a Western Mass. music club maven, you probably saw Flying Lessons. Full story »

Three performances are slated for Friday and Saturday at CityStage Full story »

Check out a roundup of what's new at your favorite watering holes. Full story »

What does your choice of beer reveal about you? Full story »

Opa Opa Brewing and Lyons Package Store and will supply microbrews and wines. Full story »

The singers will perform at the Iron Horse Music Hall on Saturday night. Full story »

It the third and latest play in a popular series that has been running since 1993. Full story »

"Bruce in the USA" comes to Symphony Hall for one performance. Full story »

Last year, Wilbraham lost one of its great taverns when O'Driscoll's irish Pub closed its doors. But just a few months ago, the venue reopened under new ownership and so far, the pub is a rousing success. "It's a relaxed atmosphere where people can come, have a drink and some food, be able to have a conversation or listen to... Full story »

Roll out the (old) barrels--and a barrel of new brews. That's the overriding theme of this week's column as we preview (briefly) a bunch of new beers available both here in Western Massachusetts as well as in Boston--and nationwide--in certain areas. First up is the unveiling of Samuel Adams new series of barrel-aged beers. The Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection... Full story »

Last week we ran down several Halloween parties that will be taking place at some local clubs and promised to add to the list this week, as information became available. So if you haven't decided what to do on fright night this year (which is just two days away) check out the several additions below. Except where noted, most of... Full story »

With Halloween upon us, I think its fitting to get around to a "monster" of a beer story I haven't had space to include previously. Last month Hansen Beverage Co. of California threatened legal action against the small Vermont Rock Art Brewery because Hansen believed Rock Art's Vermonster beer because of the possibility consumers could confuse it with Hansen's popular... Full story »

With Halloween just around the corner, we'll do our annual duty and list a few clubs that will be holding fright fests two weeks from now. This list, as always, is not exhaustive, but if your club is having a Halloween bash and isn't mentioned this week, drop us a line (today--deadline is tomorrow) at repubscout@yahoo.com. With any luck we'll... Full story »

There is a certain irony in the fact that last week I listed a few favorite beers while stressing I don't like calling them the "best" brews, and this week praising a book named "World's Best Beers: One Thousand Craft Brews from Cask to Glass." But that's the way these things go sometimes. Ever since Michael Jackson (the beer writer)... Full story »

In his best-selling novel "Breakfast of Champions," Kurt Vonnegut wrote that all music is divine. If there ever has been any evidence of Vonnegut's assertion, it was embodied in a man named Timothy Young. Much has already been written about Young, who passed away last month, and although this eulogy is belated due to deadline issues, I felt compelled... Full story »

Beer Nut describes 4 of his ever-changing list of favorites. Full story »

By GEORGE LENKER This is one "girls' night out" where men are definitely welcome. The hit play "Girls Night: The Musical" will hit CityStage on Oct. 13 and Sonya Carter, a former cast member who now works in production with the show, said that although the play is geared toward women, men enjoy it equally as well. "For one thing,... Full story »

It's hard to believe a year has passed since The Black Moon Lounge opened its doors in Belchertown. Yet in those 12 months "The Moon" has garnered quite a reputation for presenting one of the most diverse smorgasbords of musical talent in the area. Styles ranging from jazz to folk to Celtic and World Beat all have graced the club,... Full story »

Due to my surgically repaired but still arthritic right knee, my beer sampling activities were a bit curtailed this past week. Therefore, I must rely on a bunch of beer-related news for my column fodder this week. Fortunately, there is never a shortage of it, which is a continuing good sign for the health of craft brewing in our country.... Full story »

As a person who dabbles in several areas of artistic endeavor, I am suspicious of the practice of bestowing awards on creative works. It simply seems somewhat unseemly to compare and rank pieces of art, whether they are films, songs, books--or even beers. As I write this, of course, numerous medals are being handed out to scores of brewers at... Full story »

The Northampton Brewery has scheduled "Farm to Table, Grain to Glass."  Full story »

Beer Critic George Lenker reports that Bear Republic has created a roaring success.  Full story »

The concert will easily be one of the highlights of the Calvin's fall season. Full story »

It was unfortunate that there was no Connecticut River Brewer's Festival this year, as it has become a mainstay for local beer fans. Despite that sad news, however, there will be plenty of smaller brew events on the calendar over the next few months. Here are a few September ones (listed chronologically) you might want to check out. (More events... Full story »